Contabo VPS Review 2025

Before ordering a VPS from Contabo, it’s worth taking a closer look at the available plans and features. Since requirements can vary greatly depending on the project, Contabo offers a wide range of server solutions tailored to different use cases.

Contabo provides an extensive portfolio of VPS options designed for diverse applications. These include Cloud VPS with fast NVMe storage for maximum performance, Cloud VDS (Virtual Dedicated Servers) with dedicated CPU cores for demanding workloads, and Storage VPS offering large SSD capacity for backups and data archiving. The range is complemented by Windows VPS with preinstalled operating systems, cPanel VPS for easy website and email management, and newly introduced VPS models with automatic backup functionality for regular data protection.

With this broad selection, Contabo covers virtually all common hosting needs — from entry-level setups to professional deployments.

In the most affordable VPS category, Cloud VPS, six different plans are available — each varying in the amount of resources and performance offered.

For our Contabo VPS review, we chose the entry-level Cloud VPS 10 plan, which comes with 4 vCores, 8 GB RAM, and 75 GB NVMe SSD storage.

Contabo allows customers to choose the contract duration for their VPS flexibly. With monthly billing, the standard price applies; for a six-month term, a 10% discount is offered, and for twelve months, a 25% discount applies. The minimum contract period is one month, and subsequent renewals automatically follow the initially selected term. Depending on the chosen payment model, there is either no notice period (prepaid) or a four-week cancellation period (postpaid).

All Contabo VPS plans are based on KVM virtualisation, ensuring stable and consistent performance even under heavy workloads. They are powered by high-performance AMD processors, which, in combination with SSD or Gen 4 PCIe NVMe storage, deliver fast and responsive operation. This makes the servers suitable for demanding applications, development environments, and production workloads alike.

Each VPS comes with a unlimited traffic with fair use policy at speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s (with a guaranteed minimum of 200 Mbit/s). Dedicated IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are included, and additional IPs can be added if required.

Contabo operates its VPS servers across eleven data centres in nine regions worldwide — including locations in the USA, the UK, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Thanks to this global infrastructure, users benefit from low latency and SLA-backed availability, ensuring stable performance across all regions. This allows each server to be optimally positioned for its target market — whether for international projects, regional applications, or globally distributed teams.

At Contabo, security is a top priority — both at the infrastructure and process level. All servers come with always-on DDoS mitigation, which automatically detects and blocks attacks to ensure the safe operation of hosted projects. Strict internal security protocols and advanced network protection mechanisms ensure that data is handled with the highest level of care and reliability.

Each VPS allows users to create free snapshots at any time, which are stored for 30 days and can be used to restore the server to a previous state if needed. In addition, Contabo offers an optional Auto Backup feature as a paid add-on. This tool performs automated external backups, protecting data against unexpected incidents such as system failures, ransomware, or accidental deletions. Once configured, the backup process runs fully automatically in the background — requiring no manual intervention.

Contabo provides full root access, giving users complete control over their VPS — including free choice of operating system, API and CLI access, and the option to use custom images for an additional fee.

Through the intuitive Customer Control Panel, users can easily manage server settings, backups, and DNS entries. Developers benefit from a range of DevOps tools, including Cloud-init, SSH key management, custom image deployment, and CI/CD pipeline support, enabling fast and efficient application deployment.

Domains can be registered directly with Contabo or linked from external providers. DNS management is fully integrated into the Control Panel, allowing seamless setup within existing projects. Each Virtual Private Server can therefore be individually configured — from the operating system and software stack to preferred deployment methods.

Available operating systems: Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, openSUSE, FreeBSD, and Windows.

In addition, Contabo offers optional one-click installations for popular control panels and applications such as cPanel and Plesk or Docker and Proxmox.

The Contabo VPS impresses in our test with its strong technical foundation. Thanks to KVM virtualisation, powerful AMD processors, and fast SSD or NVMe storage, the VPS provides a stable and efficient environment for a wide range of applications. The unlimited traffic allowance and global availability across eleven data centres contribute to consistently low latency and high reliability. In terms of security, Contabo also performs well with active DDoS protection and free snapshots, while optional add-ons such as Auto Backup or custom images are available at reasonable extra cost. Overall, the VPS offering combines an extensive and practical feature set that appeals to both beginners and professional users.
 

• Strong technical setup with powerful AMD CPUs, fast storage, and unlimited traffic

• Global data centre presence across nine regions for low-latency performance

• Free snapshots and built-in DDoS protection included

• Some additional features require extra payment (e.g. Auto Backup, Custom Images)

In the next section, we take a closer look at the ordering process and management interface of the Contabo VPS.

The ordering process at Contabo is straightforward and clearly structured. First, users select the desired VPS plan on the website. With a single click on “Get Started”, the ordering process begins, followed by the individual configuration of the server in the next step.

During the ordering process, users can first set the contract duration and then choose their preferred data centre location. Next, they select the storage type (SSD or NVMe) and the desired operating system or image. Optional add-ons can also be included, such as the Auto Backup feature, additional IP addresses, extended storage, or monitoring options. This allows the server to be customised to individual requirements right from the start.

 

The my.contabo management interface is available for VPS administration. It allows users not only to view and manage customer data, contracts, invoices, and payments, but also to access and configure all technical settings of their server.

In the VPS control section, Contabo provides a range of essential functions:

• Restart reboots the server, for instance after system changes.
• Start and Stop allow the VPS to be conveniently powered on or off without cancelling the subscription.
• Reinstall performs a complete system reset, reinstalling the selected operating system and deleting all data.
• The rescue system provides emergency access in case of critical errors, enabling data recovery or configuration repairs.
• Snapshots can be created to save the current system state and restored at any time via the Snapshot Rollback feature.

Beyond these core tools, the panel also offers several advanced options, including an API for automation, custom image deployment, the Auto Backup system, Private Networking for internal connections, and integrated DNS and IP management tools.

While the Contabo control panel is functional and reliable, its design feels somewhat dated. For that reason, Contabo has recently introduced…

…the current open beta of Contabo’s new management interface.

This version offers a much more modern and up-to-date design, while essentially providing the same functionality as the classic dashboard. Some sections, however, appear a bit nested and less intuitive, meaning users may need some time to get used to the new layout. Overall, though, the beta version clearly shows that Contabo is working towards a more modern user experience — even if there’s still room for improvement in terms of clarity and navigation.

 

In our test, Contabo proves to be generally user-friendly. The ordering process is clearly structured, allowing for easy selection and individual configuration of the desired VPS. Provisioning is quick and straightforward, with no long waiting times. The management interface includes all essential functions for server control and account management, though the classic version looks somewhat dated. The new open beta interface offers a much more modern design but retains the same functionality — while being slightly more nested and less intuitive in places. Overall, Contabo delivers a solid level of usability, with the clear ordering structure and comprehensive management features standing out positively

• Simple and well-structured ordering process with numerous customisation options

• Fast server provisioning without complex setup

• Extensive management features for both technical and account settings in one interface

• Classic management interface looks visually outdated

• New beta version is partly nested and less intuitive

• Switching between old and new interfaces can initially be confusing

To evaluate the performance of the Contabo VPS, we conducted a series of benchmarks on the system. These tests measured both the CPU performance and the disk speed of the server. For this purpose, we used the well-known benchmarking tool YABS (Yet-Another-Bench-Script).

Contabo vServer Benchmark: CPU Performance

The CPU performance of the Contabo VPS was evaluated using Geekbench 5, measuring both single-core and multi-core results.

In our test, the Contabo VPS achieved the following scores

Single-Core CPU Value: 2096

Multi-Core CPU Value: 5248

Here’s how our Contabo VPS compares with other VPS providers tested:

Contabo VPS Benchmark: Disk Speed

The disk performance of the Contabo VPS was measured using the fio I/O testing software. This benchmark analyses both the read/write throughput per second and the number of input/output operations per second (IOPS).

In our test, the Contabo VPS achieved the following results:

Read/Write Speed (64k block size): 3,328 MB/s

Input/Output Operations (64k block size): 52,012 IOPS

Here’s how our Contabo VPS performs compared to the other VPS providers tested:

With a Single-Core CPU score of 2,096, the Contabo VPS performs well and earns 3 points in this category.
With a Multi-Core CPU score of 5,248, the VPS again delivers solid results and receives 3 points.
With a read/write speed of 3,328 MB/s, the Contabo VPS shows excellent storage performance, earning another 3 points.
Finally, with 52,012 IOPS in input/output operations, it performs strongly once more, adding 3 points to its total.

In summary, the Contabo VPS achieves a full 12 out of 12 points for performance, corresponding to an overall 5-star rating in this category.:

In our performance test, the Contabo VPS delivers outstanding results across all categories. Both CPU performance impresses with strong single-core and multi-core scores, and storage performance excels with high transfer rates (MB/s) and excellent IOPS values. Overall, the Contabo VPS proves to be a powerful and stable platform that fully meets expectations in our test.

• Excellent CPU performance

• Excellent disk performance

• none

Contabo offers a comprehensive support service, divided into direct customer support and a detailed FAQ section. During business hours, users can contact support staff directly for individual assistance. In addition, the website provides a knowledge base with numerous guides and answers, allowing many technical issues to be resolved independently.

The Contabo support team is available 24/7 for questions and technical issues. Support tickets are processed around the clock, meaning users typically receive a response within a short time. While there is currently no telephone support, Contabo provides direct assistance via live chat available in English.

The FAQ section serves as a first point of contact for common questions related to products, management, and technical topics. The knowledge base is clearly structured into categories and includes step-by-step guides on areas such as server setup, billing, security, and network configuration. Many issues can therefore be resolved without needing to contact the support team. The FAQ is regularly updated and covers both basic and advanced topics.

Our Experience with Contabo Support

As part of our Contabo VPS test (October 2025), we evaluated the support team’s responsiveness directly. In our test, ticket-based inquiries were answered in detail within about one hour.

In our test, the Contabo support service left an overall positive impression. The support team is available around the clock and responded to our inquiries quickly and competently. Although no telephone support is provided, the live chat is available in English and the ticket system proved to be fast and reliable, offering detailed and helpful responses. The additional FAQ section complements the service by enabling users to solve many issues independently. Overall, Contabo demonstrates a customer-oriented and dependable approach, with only minor limitations in communication options.

• Fast response times via ticket system, available 24/7

• Extensive FAQ section with practical guides and troubleshooting tips

• No telephone support available

In the final part of our VPS review, we take a closer look at Contabo’s pricing structure. The provider offers a wide range of flexibly configurable plans, ensuring that there is a suitable solution for every budget and use case. The monthly price depends on the selected configuration — additional CPU cores, more RAM, or larger storage capacity will increase the overall cost. Optional add-ons, such as backups or extra IP addresses, can also affect the total price. This allows Contabo to cover a broad spectrum, from affordable entry-level plans to high-performance VPS packages designed for professional workloads.

A clear advantage is that Contabo offers optional features such as Auto Backup, additional IP addresses, extended storage capacity, or monitoring options at fair and transparent rates. Each add-on is clearly priced and can be activated flexibly, without hidden fees or complicated tariff structures. This approach allows users to customise their VPS precisely according to their needs and pay only for what they actually use — promoting both cost control and flexibility.

Conclusion on Pricing

In our test, Contabo demonstrates a flexible and fair pricing model. Plans can be individually configured, making them suitable for both budget-conscious beginners and demanding professional users. Costs scale directly with performance — more resources mean a higher price, but even the upper-tier options remain competitive compared to similar VPS providers. Optional add-ons such as Auto Backup, extra IPs, or extended storage are also reasonably priced. Overall, Contabo offers a well-balanced price-performance ratio, ranking among the most attractive in the VPS market.

• Flexible pricing with customisable plans for different requirements

• Excellent price-performance ratio compared to other VPS providers

• Optional add-ons available at fair and transparent rates

• none

The Contabo VPS stands out with strong performance, comprehensive features, and an excellent price-performance ratio. The combination of KVM virtualisation, AMD processors, and fast NVMe/SSD storage ensures reliable performance, which also impressed in our benchmark tests. The feature set is extensive, including free snapshots, active DDoS protection, and optional add-ons offered at fair prices.

For management, both the classic control panel and the modern beta interface are available — the latter looks more contemporary but is still somewhat nested in structure. The support team responded quickly and professionally around the clock during our test, though telephone support is not available and the live chat is currently only offered in English.

Overall, Contabo presents itself as a powerful and competitively priced VPS solution, suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
 

• Extensive feature set with free snapshots, active DDoS protection, and fairly priced add-ons

• Excellent performance in both CPU power and disk speed

• Fast and competent 24/7 support via ticket system

• Strong price-performance ratio appealing to both beginners and professionals

• No telephone support available, limiting direct personal contact

• Management interface slightly outdated, and the new beta version still somewhat cluttered

How the Contabo VPS Compares to Other VPS Providers in Our Test:

The best providers from our vServer test

Rank ↕	Provider ↕	Test Score ↕
1.		4,8/5 VERY GOOD	Contabo GmbH Test	To provider
1.		4,8/5 VERY GOOD	netcup Test	To provider
3.		4,6/5 VERY GOOD	Hetzner Online GmbH Test	To provider
3.		4,6/5 VERY GOOD	IP-Projects GmbH & Co. KG Test	To provider
5.		4,2/5 GOOD	Infomaniak Test	To provider

Here you’ll find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Contabo’s VPS plans:

No — automatic backups are not included by default. They can, however, be enabled as a paid add-on.

Contabo was founded in 2003 in Munich under the name Giga-International and grew from a single server into a global hosting provider with over 450,000 servers. After being renamed Contabo in 2013, the company began its international expansion, establishing modern data centres in Munich, Nuremberg, and later the United States. Today, Contabo employs around 300 people and operates twelve data centres across four continents, while remaining committed to German quality standards and fair pricing.

There are several alternatives to the Contabo VPS. Among the larger German hosting providers are STRATO and IONOS. Smaller competitors such as active-servers and ST-Hosting also offer similar VPS solutions and can be worth considering.